Las Vegas is known for many things... gambling being the most common, casino shows, fine dining, and eloquent hotels are additional reasons why tourists gravitate to "Sin City" each year. You can take a stroll up and down Las Vegas Boulevard or enjoy the free live musical performances and glittering lights of Downtown Las Vegas. This article will focus on the latter.

The Downtown Las Vegas Experience

Before "The Strip" was developed, there was Fremont Street. Many hitchhikers, high rollers, and everybody in between tried their luck at one point or another in this part of town. Downtown Las Vegas was considered to be one of the top U.S. vacation spots at one time.

The Casinos

The Las Vegas Club, El Cortez, Four Queens, The Golden Gate, and The D Las Vegas are the gaming establishments situated in the area known as "Old Las Vegas". All of the same games of chance featured at "The Strip" casinos such as craps, blackjack, roulette, bingo, keno, and poker are also available at these casinos in Downtown Las Vegas.

Museums Galore

If you love museums, then the Downtown area has several of them. The most recent one to be built is known as the Mob Museum which commemorates the history of the Italian Mafia. Believe it or not, La Costra Nostra played a part in the creation of what we now know as Las Vegas.

The Neon Museum, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and the Discovery Children's Museum are the rest of them. Some people do not find places like this appealing so there are others.

Other Attractions

For those individuals who rather go elsewhere, Symphony Park is a great, relaxing place to start. There are a mixture of premium retail outlets as well as medical, hotel, and residential facilities.

World Series of Poker

This popular event was originally held at Binion's casino in Downtown Las Vegas. Now it is held on The Strip most of the time. The Heads Up Poker National Championship Event is also held on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Main Event

When most people head Downtown, they usually go for the live musical performances and affordable food that is surprisingly good as opposed to the high priced eateries on The Strip excluding the fast food restaurants. The Fremont Street Experience is one you cannot find in any other U.S. city.

Actual Tourist Review

“A few months ago, someone told me that it was imperative that I visit the Downtown in order to get the total Vegas experience. This was actually my first time traveling there. I do not recall who told me that, but when I find out, they owe forty dollars for a round trip cab ride from The Strip to go there. I was disappointed to say the least”.

“The overall appearance of Downtown was very unappealing. In fact, it looked almost like a third world country. The lights were not that big of a deal. The vibe of the “Old Vegas” was taken away when the canopy was built over the main road several years ago. Do not waste your time going there, stick with The Strip”.